Mary Anne loved putting color on her lips. When I’d walk into her room to start my shift, I’d often find her with her beautiful engraved mirror, lining her lips and putting on her lipstick du jour. One day, I overheard her son ask, “Mom, why are you putting on lipstick?”
“Son, I may be dying, but that doesn’t mean I have to look like hell while doing it. When I check out of this world and into my next, I want to look my best.”
Two days later, Mary Anne died.
When everyone had left her room, I went over to her bedside table. There it was. Chanel’s “Beige du Chanel.” That was her go-to color when the priest would come to visit. It only seemed appropriate for this occassion.
I took off the cap with the double C logo and put some fresh lipstick on Mary Anne’s pale lips, and I secretly thanked her for one of her life lessons: there’s power in a lipstick.
What’s so powerful about lipstick? Well, the way I see it (thanks to Mary Anne), everything is energy. For example, if you want to have a bad day, try this. Wake up, don’t shower, sit around in a sweatsuit that should have been laid to rest a decade ago, don’t put on makeup, eat a Sara Lee grande blueberry muffin and a Diet Coke, don’t exercise and, please, whatever you do, don’t put on lipstick.
In fact, a few weeks ago, my daughter woke up and went to school without any attention, whatsoever, to her appearance, which is quite unusual for her. “Are you OK,” I asked.
“Yep, I just don’t really care today,” she said.
When I picked her up, her day had only gotten worse. “It was the worst day ever,” she said.
“Well, dear, do you think it had anything to do with how you started your day with your “don’t care” attitude,” I asked.
“Probably,” she said.
The next day, she stepped out looking her very best. Before she got out of the car, she asked me for some lipstick. I handed her some Bobbie Brown and sent her out into the world knowing that her day would be much better. It was.
Now, let me be clear. I’m not advocating self-obsession. And, lipstick may not be your thing. What I am suggesting is that it’s up to you to create your life. No one is going to knock on your door and make you feel better. It must come from within by deciding that you are worth it and then making the decision to put your best self out into the world.
If you want to set yourself up for a successful day, get up, spend some time with yourself, sit and dine on something delicious, journal and set your intention for the day, shower, find an outfit that looks great on your body the way it is right now, and put on some lipstick.
The lipstick effect is a behavior that reflects economic conditions, emotional states, cultural shifts, and other factors. While it might seem counterintuitive for consumers to spend more on small, affordable luxury items, it's not new behavior.
During an economic recession or periods of uncertainty, many people gravitate towards small indulgences to uplift their spirits, often influenced by factors such as:
Economic conditions play a major role in consumer behavior, with the lipstick effect becoming more pronounced during recessions or periods of economic decline. While consumers may cut down on significant expenses and high-ticket items like vehicles or vacations they can no longer afford, beauty products, affordable luxury goods, and lipstick sales increase.
The desire for consumers to treat themselves doesn't disappear during difficult times; it just takes on a more affordable form, providing some comfort or pleasure during uncertain times. Products like lipstick can lift someone's spirits without financial strain.
Conversely, the lipstick effect is less pronounced during economic growth and recovery. When consumers have greater confidence in their financial stability, they tend to invest in higher-ticket items or luxury goods.
However, even during economic booms, small luxuries can still appeal to more budget-conscious consumers.
While economic downturns often trigger increased stress and anxiety, significantly influencing consumer behavior, we still see high makeup sales during economic booms because of individual emotional factors in consumers.
Buying affordable luxury items like lipstick and beauty products is a coping mechanism that alleviates feelings of stress and anxiety by providing a sense of comfort and self-care.
Treating yourself with a luxury product can contribute to well-being and higher self-worth. In addition, consumers often develop emotional connections to various products, intensifying during emotional strain. The nostalgia or good feelings associated with a product can evoke positive feelings to provide the consumer stability and comfort.
Social and cultural influences can also influence consumer behavior. Social media platforms amplify the lipstick effect by highlighting these affordable luxury items with influencers showcasing cosmetics, prompting their followers to take action.
Similarly, celebrity endorsements can fuel the lipstick effect. When a celebrity collaborates with a brand, fans are more likely to purchase that item to feel more connected to their favorite celebrity. These endorsements drive sales of affordable luxury goods, even during economic recessions.
At the same time, cultural trends can also shape consumer behavior. Changes in fashion, values, and beauty standards influence demand for various products, especially beauty and self-care products. For instance, a cultural shift to wellness can boost the sales of products like vitamins, cosmetics, and other products, contributing to the lipstick effect.